Man Accused In Deadly Coconut Creek Accident Arraigned
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FT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) - A man jailed in Ft. Lauderdale on a DUI manslaughter charge appeared before a judge Monday for his arraignment.
Patricio Arias is accused killing his friend Joey Ianzano while driving drunk in August.
Ianzano's father and family were in the courtroom for the hearing. They had hoped the judge would revoke his bond or at least place more restrictions on him while he's out on bail.
"They told him he has to finish school and he's going to college," said Michael Ianzano. "My son never had his chance to go to college. To me they're being very lenient on him."
Ianzano said that fateful night, his son tried to stop Arias from driving because he thought he had too much to drink. Arias left anyway. Witnesses said in an effort to stop the car, Joey grabbed onto the back of it and was killed when Arias drove off and slammed into a tree.
In court, Ianzano's friends and family showed up dressed in camouflage and in t-shirts with his picture on it - their way of showing support.
"We just wore them for justice for Joey today," said Joey's aunt Barbara Ianzano. "It's all in God's hands now and the outcome is what it should be."
Arias' attorney said they want to take this to trial. He said he wants the chance to prove this whole thing was an awful accident, that Arias had no idea that Ianzano had grabbed onto the car.
"We're going to go on trial for this and explain this is nothing more than a terrible accident and terrible tragedy," said Eric Schwartzreich. "It's nothing less, nothing more."
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